Ambleside Tourist Information

Ambleside, at the northern end of Lake Windermere has been one of the Lake District and Cumbria's major tourist destinations since it was “discovered” in the mid 19th Century.
Standing close to Englands largest and most visited lake and surrounded by fells, woodlands and farm land, Ambleside is a classic Cumbrian town. It's a well balanced blend of specialist shops, a wealth of visitor accommodations, restaurants, cafés, pubs, historic sites and buildings including the landmark Bridge House, a museum and a library.

Walking and cycling tracks and trails are just a short distance from the town centre and a brief bus journey, or, by horse drawn carriage in the summer months, takes you to Waterhead Pier for a leisurely cruise on the calm waters of Windermere.
July is a busy time in the Ambleside events calendar when usually on the first Saturday of the month the annual Rush Bearing Ceremony and Procession takes place followed at the end of the month by the immensely popular Ambleside Sports featuring all that is best of Lakeland traditions. For details of these and other events in and around the area please go to our Local Events Page.

Ambleside's street parking regulations include a Permit Holders Only scheme. The permits are free of charge and can be obtained from some shops, restaurants, pubs and the Tourist Information centre.

Day visitors from outside the region reaching nearby Windermere and Bowness may wish to complete their journey by taking the lake steamer from Bowness Pier or an open top double deck bus from Windermere Railway Station. Both of these provide wonderful lake and mountain views and take less than 30 minutes.

How to get there:

By rail: From the London to Scotland West Coast Main Line, change at Oxenholme for Windermere.
From Windermere, take one of the many buses or taxis. The journey is four miles.

By road: Situated on the A591, Ambleside is easily accessible from the M6 motorway, exiting at J36.

Attractions in Ambleside

Armitt Museum & Library Centre
See over 2000 years of local Lake District history at Ambleside’s Armitt Museum and Library. From the Romans to Beatrix Potter along with Ruskin, Wordsworth and Kurt Schwitters.
Rydal Road, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 9BL
Phone: 015394 31212
Fax: 015394 31313www.thearmittcollection.com

Bridge House
Featured often on postcards, is a tiny building spanning the Stock Beck. Originally used as an apple store, folklore has it that it was erected by the owner as a method of Land Tax avoidance. An explanation by no means proved!
Rydal Road, Ambleside, Cumbria.

High Sweden Bridge
Located just a short walk from Ambleside, this typically Cumbrian packhorse bridge is a beautiful spot to simply hang out on a warm, summer’s afternoon. The river that flows beneath the bridge, Scandale Beck, tumbles down the valley in a succession of pools and waterfalls and if you fancy a longer walk, follow the track beside the stream to the head of the valley from where you can swing left onto Low Pike, before looping back down to Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge.

Stagshaw Garden
This woodland garden was created by the late Cubby Acland, a regional agent for the National Trust until 1973. It covers approximately 8 acres and offers a fine collection of shrubs, including many notable azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons. Adjacent to the garden are Skelghyll Woods, which offer delightful walks and access to the fells beyond, as well as superb views over Windermere. Vehicular access to the gardens is a little difficult so park at Waterhead and walk to Stagshaw from there.
Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 0HE
Phone: 015394 46027
Fax: 015394 46027

Hill Top
Located in England 's historic Lake District , this working farm owned by Beatrix Potter was the setting for her delightful and popular series of animal tales.
Nr Sawrey, Ambleside LA22 0LF
Phone: 01539 436269
E-mail: rpmht@smtp.ntrust.org.uk

U-Can Do
CANOE, KAYAK, AND CYCLE HIRE.
U-cando is located on the North Eastern shoreline of Lake Windermere at the Youth Hostel Association, Waterhead, Ambleside. With its stunning lake frontage and breathtaking mountain backdrop we are ideally situated for your water borne, and cycling adventure.
Phone: 07542 460820
www.u-cando.co.uk

Zeffirellis Cinema
Zeffirellis is a lively and stylish Wholefood Pizzeria with Two Cinemas,
Shopping gallery and garden Room Café,
situated in the heart of the English Lake Districtwww.zeffirellis.com/zefs/